Window construction



Oct. 5, 1965 w. P. SPRAGUE, JR 3,209,411

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 7, 1962 //V l E /V T 05.

WE NDE LL P. SPRAGUE, JR.

BUCKHORN, CHEATHAM 8 BLORE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,209,411 WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Wendell P. Sprague, Era, 2305 N. Clark Ave., Oak Grove, Greg. Filed Sept. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 222,054 9 Claims. (CI. 20-52) The present invention relates to the construction of a window and more particularly to construction of a metal frame window having a sliding vent sash.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a window construction in which the frame members are formed of extruded metal shapes and which window may be manufactured at a minimum of cost.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a window construction of the type indicated with new and improved means to provide a weather type seal of the sliding vent when the window is closed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for supporting the movable vent sash whereby it may be moved with a minimum of effort when the window is to be opened or closed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide new and improved weather stripping means for windows of the type indicated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved handle means for locking the window in the fully closed or partially opened position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a handle means which requires no springs.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter.

In accordance with an illustrated embodiment, the window of the invention comprises a rectangular frame, the head, sill and jamb sections of which are formed of identically extruded shapes. A meeting rail is provided between the head and sill sections. A sliding vent sash is provided in the window, the frame of which and the meeting rail of the window being all formed of the same extruded metal shape whereby the entire window is constructed of only two extruded shapes.

Means are provided to cam the sliding vent snugly into engagement with portions of the fixed frame of the window when the sash is moved to its closed position, such means being inoperative when the sash is moved towards an open position whereby the sash may be moved freely.

A new and improved handle means is also provided on the sash and which will fall to latching position under the force of gravity and which requires no springs for its operation.

These details and others will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in the conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an interior elevation of a window construction having one movable vent sash;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing a window construction having two movable vent sashes at the opposite sides of a fixed pane;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 3, parts being removed for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical section taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevation of the sill section of the window frame;

FIG. 7 is a typical vertical cross section of the sill section; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3,209,411 Patented Oct. 5, 1965 88 of FIG. 1 illustrating details of the weather stripping construction of the window of the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a typical window formed in accordance with the present invention comprises a fixed frame generally indicated at 10 which is adapted to be mounted in a window opening of a wall, and which frame supports a fixed pane 11. Slidably mounted for horizontal movement within the fixed frame is a vent sash 12 supporting a vent pane 13. Another typical installation is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein an elongated frame 15 supports a centrally positioned, fixed pane 16 and a pair of horizontally slidable vent sashes 17 with panes 18 are mounted at the opposite sides of the fixed pane. In the typical construction of FIG. 1 the movable sash may be moved from a closed position as illustrated to an open position, in which the panes 11 and 13 face each other. In the typical construction of FIG. 2 each of the movable sashes may be moved partially across the fixed pane so as to provide vent openings at the sides of the fixed pane. It is to be appreciated that the same type of construction is utilized in both of the illustrated typical examples, and may be utilized in other different types of window constructions.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the typical fixed frame comprises a head section 20, a sill section 21 and opposed jamb sections 22 joining the head and sill sections to define a rectangular frame. Each of the sections is substantially identical to the other in cross section, being cut from a long extrusion to the desired length, with 45 degree end surfaces, and welded together to provide the rectangular frame. Although the four sections are substantially identical in cross sectionit will be noted that in the illustration the inner flange 25 of the sill section 21 is of lesser height than the inner flange 26 of the head section 20 and the inner flanges 27 of the jamb sections 22, for the reason that such inner flange 25 is reduced by milling or other suitable operation. By reason of this construction a lower, upwardly facing channel 28 in the sill section 21 is of less depth than the upper, downwardly facing channel 29 of the head section, so that the movable sash may be inserted into the window frame or withdrawn by raising it into the channel 29. The channels 28 and 29 occupy the inner portions of the sections, the outer Wall surfaces of the channels being defined by an intermediate flange 30.

The webs 31 of each of the frame sections extend be 'yond the intermediate flanges 30 and join outer flanges 32. At the unions of the webs 31 and flanges 32 there is provided a V-shaped notch33 which functions as a drip guard in the sill section. 3

As best seen in FIG. 3, a meeting rail 34 is welded between the head section 20 and the-sill section 21 at an intermediate point between the jamb sections. A more detailed description of the meeting rail will be made hereinafter.

The movable sash 12 comprises an upper rail 40 which projects into the channel 29 of the head section 20, a lower rail 44 which projects into the channel 28 of the sill section 21, and opposed stiles 46, 48 which join the upper and lower rails to form a rectangular sash. The rails of the sash, the meeting rail and the stiles are identical in cross-section, being cut from a length of a single extrusion. Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of these members comprises a longitudinally extending base portion 50 having opposed,flat, substantially parallel faces. Extending longitudinally of the base portion substantially at right angles thereto is a flat web portion 52. The web portion 52 is offset to define a longitudinally extending groove 54, the purpose of which will be explained subsequently. The edge of the web portion 52 opposite the base 50 is united with a flange portion 56 which extends laterally outwardly from each of the opposite sides of the web portion. The flange portion 56 defines on one side of the web 52, a groove 58 which is adapted to receive one edge of a glazing bead 60. On the opposite side of the web portion 52 the flange portion 56 is formed to define an undercut channel 62 which in cross section is a segment of a circle. In the sash 12 a weather stripping element 64 in the form of a cylindrical resilient tubing of vinyl plastic or other suitable material is mounted within the channel 62. As shown in FIG. 3, the Weather stripping elements 64 mounted within the stiles of the sash are adapted to press against the flange 30 of the adjacent jamb and the base portion 50 of the meeting rail 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the weather stripping elements 64 of the sash rails engage the flanges 30 of the head and sill sections of the frame.

The glass pane 13 is held in the vent sash 12 against the base 50 portion of the vent sash frame members by the rolled metal glazing bead 60 which snaps into position as illustrated. The glass pane 11 is similarly held in place in the fixed portion of the frame. In both instances a weather stripping tape 72 is preferably positioned along the edges of the pane between the pane and adjacent f-rame element.

The groove 54 in the web 52 of the meeting rail is adapted to receive tongues 74 at one side of the frame 76 of a screen 78'. At the opposite side the screen is provided with spring plungers 80, the tips of which engage a grooved flange 82 provided on the intermediate flange 30 of the adjacent jamb section 22. The grooves 54 are present in all the vent sash frame sections, but perform no useful function in this association. Likewise the grooved flanges 82 appear in all of the other sections of the window frame, but serve no useful purpose therein.

To facilitate movement of the vent sash 12 it is provided with a pair of hard plastic rollers 84 (FIG. 4) which are mounted upon hub pins 86 adjacent the lower corners of the sash. The rollers 84 are mounted on horizontal axes extending at right angles to the sash and project beneath the lower edge of the sash to engage the upwardly facing bottom surface 88 of the channel 28-. This upwardly facing bottom surface 88 slopes, preferably at a small angle of about downwardly away from the outer wall surface provided by the intermediate flange 30 and toward the inner wall surface of the channel 28 provided by the flange 25. The distance between the flanges 30, is considerably greater than the width of the rails of the movable sash. The same dimensions occur completely around the movable sash and in the channels of the frame sections so that the sash is freely movable without excess friction.

At the upper corners of the movable sash there are provided a pair of thrust pins 94 parallel to the shafts 86. Each shaft 86 terminates in a semispherical head 96 and each thrust pin 94 terminates in a semispherical head 98, the heads facing inwardly of the room and being engageable with the adjacent surfaces of the channels so that four points of minimum friction are provided when the window is moved. The flange 25 of the sill section 31 is provided with a pair of inwardly projecting cams 100 formed by striking in portions of the flange adjacent the upper edge 102. The flange 26 of the head section is also provided with a similar pair of cams 104. The cams 100 and 104 are so positioned as to respectively engage the projecting heads 96 and 98- when the movable sash is moved to its closed position, thereby camming the movable sash into sealing engagement with the intermediate flanges of the frame sections and the base portion 50 of the meeting rail 34. When the sash is moved toward open position the pins 86, 94 move off the cams 100, 104 and the rollers 84 tend to ride down the inclined surface 88 so that the sash moves away from the flanges 30 and meeting rail enabling it to move freely.

The inner stile 46 of the movable sash is provided with a locking handle 106. As may be seen in FIG. 5, the handle is preferably in the form of a U-shaped section, the ends of the legs of which are provided with integral bosses 108 of lesser diameter than the diameter of elongated, vertical slots 110 in the flange 112 of the stile 46 to which the handle is afiixed. The handle is provided with friction sockets 114 into which the stems of headed plugs 116 may be driven, the heads of the plugs retaining washers 118 which are of greater diameter than the width of the slots 110. The slots 110 permits limited vertical movement of the handle 106, the dimensions being such that the handle may drop freely by gravity. The horizontal upper edge 102 of flange 25 normally engages the lower surface of the handle 106 to support it for movement horizontally. When the movable sash is moved to its closed position the handle 106 is free to drop into a rectangular 120 notch cut into the upper edge 102 of the flange 25, the notch being provided with opposed vertical sides so as to prevent the edge of the sash from jamming into the window frame and to prevent opening of the movable sash unless the handle is raised from inside the room. To lock the window in a partially open position the flange 25 is also provided with a second notch 122, one end of which is vertical to prevent continued movement of the sash in the opening direction, but the opposite edge 124 of which is inclined so that the movable sash may be freely moved toward the closed position, the inclined edge camming the handle 80 up onto the edge 102 of the flange 25. The notch 122 is preferably positioned so that the width of the opening between the jamb and sash stile 48 is less than an arm width to prevent unauthorized opening of the window from outside.

FIG. 7 illustrates certain further details of the sill section, and of the other sections of the fixed frame as well. Extending outwardly from the web 31 of each frame section is a nailing flange 126 which is provided with a wide groove 128 for the purpose of receiving nails 120 without causing the metal of the flange to be seriously dimpled. The flange is also provided with a weakened score line 132 along which the outer portion of the flange may be broken ofl if the frame is to be mounted in masonry construction, for example. Also, it may be seen that the sill section is preferably provided with a plurality of drain openings 134 in the intermediate flange 30 and a plurality of drain openings 136 at the junction of the web 31 and the outer flange 32. Such openings may be drilled or otherwise for-med in desired localities after the frame is formed.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the Weatherstripping element 64 is preferably in the form of a hollow tube 138 of vinyl plastic or other similar resilient, weathering resistant plastic material having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, integral fins 140. The fins 140 are spaced about 90 apart and are adapted to engage the opposing surface of the fixed frame and to pressurably engage the same when the window is closed so as to provide a substantially air and water tight seal. The fins are preferrably of such height that in their normal condition the plane defined by their outer edges is substantially tangential to the tube 138. Under closing pressure both fins and the tube will be urged into contact with the opposed surface. It has been found that the provision of fins as illustrated reduces air leakage by a substantial amount over that which would occur with a conventional tubing type stripping not provided with fins.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention permits of modification in arangement and detail. I claim as my invention all such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A window construction comprising a rectangular window frame having a head section defining a downwardly open channel, a sill section defining an upwardly open channel, and jamb sections joining said head and sill sections,

a meeting rail joining said head and sill sections of the frame intermediate said jamb sections,

a horizontally slidable, rectangular vent sash mounted in said frame and comprising a top rail projecting into the channel of said head section, a bottom rail projecting into the channel of said sill section, and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said channels each having inner wall surfaces, outer wall surfaces and bottom surfaces,

a pair of rollers mounted in said bottom rail for rotation about horizontal axes at right angles to said sash and projecting beneath said bottom rail for supporting said sash by engagement thereof with the bottom surface of the channel of said sill section,

said bottom surface of the sill section being inclined downwardly away from the outer wall surface of the channel of said sill and said rails being of lesser width than said channels whereby said slidable sash is freely slidable within said channels,

a plurality of projections on saidslidable sash located each adjacent a corner thereof extending toward the said inner wall surface of said channel,

a plurality of cams on said window frame respectively engageable with said projections to cam said slidable sash into sealed engagement with the said outer surfaces of said frame and said meeting rail upon movement of the slidable sash to its closed position,

and resilient sealing means mounted on said sash for engagement with said frame and meeting rail upon said movement of said slidable sash to its closed position.

2. A window construction comprising a rectangular window frame having a head section defining a downwardly open channel, a sill section defining an upwardly open channel, and jamb sections joining said head and sill sections,

a meeting rail joining said head and sill sections of the frame intermediate said jamb sections,

a horizontally slidable, rectangular vent sash mounted in said frame and comprising a top rail projecting into the channel of said head section, a bottom rail projecting into the channel of said sill section, and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said channels each having inner wall surfaces, outer wall surfaces and bottom surfaces,

rollers mounted in said bottom rail for rotation about horizontal axes at right angles to said sash and projecting beneath said bottom rail for supporting said sash by engagement thereof with the bottom surface of the channel of said sill section,

said rails being of lesser width than said channels whereby said slidable sash is freely slidable within said channels, 7

a plurality of projections on said slidable sash located each adjacent a corner thereof,

and a plurality of cams on said window frame respectively engageable with said projections to cam said slidable sash into sealed engagement with said frame and said meeting rail upon movement of the slidable sash to its closed position.

3. A window construction comprising a rectangular window frame having a head section defining a downwardly open channel, a sill section defining an upwardly open channel, and jamb sections joining said head and sill sections,

a meeting rail joining said head and sill sections of the frame intermediate said jamb sections,

a horizontally slidable, rectangular vent sash mounted in said frame and comprising a top rail projecting into the chanel of said head section, a bottom rail projecting into the channel of said sill section, and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said channels each having inner wall surfaces, outer wall surfaces and bottom surfaces,

said rails being of lesser width than said channels whereby said slidable sash is freely slidable within said channels,

a plurality of projections on said slidable sash extending toward said channel inner surface,

and a plurality of cams on said window frame channel outer surface respectively engageable with said projections to cam said slidable sash into sealed engagement with the said outer surfaces of said frame and said meeting rail upon movement of the slidable sash to its closed position.

4. A window construction comprising a rectangular window frame having a head section defining a downwardly open channel, a sill section defining an upwardly open channel, and jamb sections joining said head and sill sections,

a meeting rail joining said head and sill sections of the frame intermediate said jamb sections,

a horizontally slidable, rectangular vent sash mounted in said frame and comprising a top rail projecting into the channel of said head section, a bottom rail projecting into the channel of said sill section, and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said channels each having inner wall surfaces, outer Wall surfaces and bottom surfaces,

said bottom surface of the sill section being inclined downwardly away from the outer wall surface of the channel of said sill and said rails being of lesser width than said channels whereby said slidable sash is freely slidable within said channels,

a plurality of projections on said slidable sash,

and a plurality of cams on said window frame respectively engageable with said projections to cam said slidable sash into sealed engagement with said frame and said meeting rail upon movement of the slidable sash to its closed position.

5. In a window comprising a frame and a horizontally slidable sash,

said sash comprising a top rail, a bottom rail and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said rails and said stiles being formed of extruded metal members of identical cross-section,

each of said members comprising a longitudinally extending base portion having a pair of flat, substantially parallel faces,

a substantially flat web portion extending longitudinally of said base portion from one of said faces substantially at right angles thereto, each said web portion being offset to provide a longitudinally extending grove therein,

and a flange portion extending laterally outwardly from each of the opposite sides of each said web portion along the edge thereof remote from said base portion,

each said flange portion defining a pair of grooves one on each of the opposite sides of each said web and opening toward each said base portion for receiving the edge of a glazing bead,

each said flange portion on one side of each said web being extended and defining an undercut channel, each said channel being a segment of circular cross section,

and a cylindrical resilient element of the radius of each said channel fitted within each said channel and protruding from the open side thereof,

the portion of each said element protruding from each said channel having a pair of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced fins,

said frame having means defining a flat surface facing each of said elements,

and means on said frame and said sash to urge said sash toward said frame surfaces so that said elements pressurably engage the same.

6. In a window comprising a frame and a horizontally slidable sash,

said sash comprising a top rail, a bottom rail and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said rails and said stiles being formed of extruded metal members of identical cross-section,

each of said members comprising a longitudinally extending base portion having a pair of fiat, substantially parallel faces,

a substantially flat web portion extending longitudinally of each said base portion from one of each said faces substantially at right angles thereto, each said web portion being offset to provide a longitudinally extending groove therein,

and a flange portion extending laterally outwardly from each of the opposite sides of each said web portion along the edge thereof remote from said base portion,

each said flange portion defining a pair of grooves one on each of the opposite sides of each said web and opening toward each said base portion for receiving the edge of a glazing bead,

each said flange portion on one side of each said web being extended and defining an undercut channel, each said channel being a segment of circular cross section,

and a cylindrical resilient element of the radius of said channels fitted within each said channel and protruding from the open side thereof.

7. In a ventilating window,

a horizontally slidable sash,

said sash comprising a top rail, a bottom rail and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

said rails and said stiles being formed of extruded metal members of identical cross-section,

each of said members comprising a longitudinally extending base portion having opposed fiat, substantially lparallel faces, a substantially flat web portion extending longitudinally of each said base portion from one of said faces substantially at right angles thereto,

and a flange portion extending laterally outwardly from each of the opposite sides of each said Web portion along the edge thereof remote from each said base portion,

each said flange portion defining a pair of grooves one on each of the opposite sides of each said web and opening toward each said base portion for receiving the edge of a glazing bead,

each said flange portion on one side of each said web [being extended and defining an undercut channel, each said channel being a segment of circular cross section,

and a cylindrical resilient element of the radius of said channels fitted within each of the said channels :of the sash rails and stiles and protruding from the open side thereof.

8. A window construction comprising a rectangular window frame having a head section defining a down- Wardly facing channel, a sill section defining an upwardly facing channel, and jamb sections joining said sill and head sections,

a meeting rail joining said head and sill sections of the frame intermediate said jamb sections and externally of said channels,

a horizontally slidable sash guided by said channels for movement from a closed position to an open position,

said sash comprising a top rail, a bottom rail and stiles joining said top and bottom rails,

one of said stiles being adjacent said meeting rail when the slidable sash is in closed position,

a handle mounted on said one stile,

means mounting said handle for free limited vertical movement with respect to said one stile,

said handle being of such weight as to fall freely under the force of gravity to its lower position and being biased solely by such force to such position,

said sill section comprising a channel side wall portion having a horizontally disposed upper edge engage- .able by said handle,

and said side wall portion edge having a notch therein adjacent said meeting rail into which said handle may drop when said slidable sash is at its closed position for latching said slidable sash at such position.

'9. A window construction comprising a rectangular window frame having a head section defining a downwardly facing channel, a sill section defining an upwardly facing channel, and jam-b sections joining said sill and head sections,

a horizontally slidable sash guided by said channels for movement from a closed position to an open position,

said sash comprising a top trail, a bottom rail and stiles joining said top and bottom rails, a handle mounted on one of said stiles, means mounting said handle for limited vertical movement with respect to said one stile, said sill section, comprising a channel side wall portion having a horizontally disposed upper edge engageable by said handle, and said side wall portion edge having a first notch therein having vertical sidewalls into which notch said handle may drop when said slidable sash is at its closed position for latching said slidable sash at such position, said sidewall portion edge having a second notch therein spaced from said first notch into which said handle may drop when said slidable sash is in an open position, said second notch having a vertical wall on the side thereof most remote from said first notch so that said window cannot be further opened without lifting said handle, said second notch having an inclined wall on the side thereof nearest said first notch so that said handle will be automatically urged upwardly upon movement of said window toward closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,107,773 2/3'8 Axe 2052.8 2,236,315 3/41 Gray. 2,546,049 3/51 Weaver et al. 2069 2,704,866 3/55 Grossman 2052 2,732,596 1/56 Ke'llner 2069 2,795,606 6/57 Fey et a1. 1 89-78 2,835,934 5/58 FranzlBlau et a1 2052.2 2,842,236 7/5'8 Axelrod 2052.8 2,847,726 8/58 Frick 2052.8 2,867,860 1/59 Anderson 2052.8 2,910,209 1 0/ 59 Nelson 2069 2,918,706 12/59 Rust et al. 2052.8 2,983,002 5/6 1 McEvoy et al. 20564 3,012,293 12/61 Migneault et al. 20-52 3,097,401 7/63 Riegelman 2052.8

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

4. A WINDOW CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR WINDOW FRAME HAVING A HEAD SECTION DEFINING A DOWNWARDLY OPEN CHANNEL, A SILL SECTION DEFINING AN UPWARDLY OPEN CHANNEL, AND JAMB SECTIONS JOINING SAID HEAD AND SILL SECTIONS, A MEETING RAIL JOINING SAID HEAD AND SILL SECTIONS OF THE FRAME INTERMEDIATE SAID JAMB SECTIONS, A HORIZONTALLY SLIDABLE, RECTANGULAR VENT SASH MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME AND COMPRISING A TOP RAIL PROJECTING INTO THE CHANNEL OF SAID HEAD SECTION, A BOTTOM RAIL PROJECTING INTO THE CHANNEL OF SAID SILL SECTION, AND STILES JOINING SAID TOP AND BOTTOM RAILS, SAID CHANNELS EACH HAVING INNER WALL SURFACES, OUTER WALL SURFACES AND BOTTOM SURFACES, SAID BOTTOM SURFACE OF THE SILL SECTION BEING INCLINED DOWNWARDLY AWAY FROM THE OUTER WALL SURFACE OF THE CHANNEL OF SAID SILL AND SAID RAILS BEING OF LESSER 